The foundation stone for the Emami Cement's new grinding plant was laid by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Panagarh, West Bengal, on Saturday.

"The 2Mta capacity unit is to be located at WBIDC Panagarh Industrial Park in Burdwan district of West Bengal at an investment of INR500 crore [INR5bn/US$73m]," a statement by Emami Cement said. The plant is expected to be commissioned by end of the 2016," it added.

The company is also currently setting up a 4Mta integrated cement project consisting of clinker plant and cement grinding unit in Chhattisgarh. According to company officials, the project is expected to become operational soon.

Emami is also looking to build further cement plants in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.